A Republican lawmaker moved Monday to impeach U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran, setting up a potentially explosive vote in Congress just days after President Donald Trump’s party suffered a crushing midterm defeat. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie filed eight articles of impeachment accusing Hegseth of illegally waging a war without congressional authorization and abusing his powers as head of the Pentagon. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives could vote as early as Wednesday, and some lawmakers in Trump’s party have indicated they could join Democrats in supporting the charges. Impeachment would be a humiliating blow to Hegseth and the Trump administration, but it would not automatically remove him from office. Read moreDemocrats warn Trump camp to ‘advocate’ as anger over corruption prompts scrapping of midterm elections. That would require a trial and conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, a much higher hurdle even after Democrats take control of the chamber in January. The impeachment effort has gained momentum since Tuesday’s midterm elections, when Democrats swept both chambers of Congress amid widespread anger over the Iran war and rising fuel prices. Republicans retain control of Congress until newly elected lawmakers take office on Jan. 3, but their overwhelming defeat has fueled recriminations and weakened party discipline. Some Republican lawmakers who lost their seats could also skip votes, which could make it easier to pass the impeachment measure. ‘Hard yes’ Massie, an outspoken Trump critic who lost his own primary to a candidate backed by the president, is using a special congressional procedure to force the House to consider his resolution within two legislative days. Republican leaders could still try to block the measure through a procedural vote. The articles accuse Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which limits the president’s ability to engage U.S. forces in hostilities without congressional approval. They also allege misconduct involving civilian casualties and military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. The Pentagon has rejected the accusations. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker in January, supported impeachment on Sunday. “I strongly support Hegseth’s resolution,” Jeffries told ABC News. “The so-called Secretary of Defense has abused his power, undermined our national security, and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran,” he said. “Pete Hegseth has to go.” Several Republicans have expressed discontent with Hegseth’s leadership without committing to removing him. Arkansas Rep. French Hill said Sunday he wanted to hear the debate before deciding whether the allegations warranted impeachment. Impeachment Unlikely Under the U.S. Constitution, the House can impeach a top government official by a simple majority vote, effectively bringing formal charges of serious misconduct. The Senate then decides whether to convict and remove the official, which requires the support of two-thirds of the senators present. Even with their majority expanded next year, Democrats would need substantial Republican support to reach that threshold. Only two Cabinet secretaries – nearly 150 years apart – have been impeached in US history, and neither was removed from office by the Senate. Hegseth has dismissed Massie’s attempted impeachment as a “sham,” calling the congressman a “discontent” and accusing his opponents of seeking political destruction. The Pentagon announced a rare Hegseth news conference scheduled for Tuesday. Trump has publicly supported his embattled defense chief, declaring last week: “I have every intention of retaining him.” But the president’s weakened political standing after the midterm elections has left Hegseth facing the prospect of an impeachment battle that could extend far beyond this week’s House vote. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)